Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-07-22

Mr.. job Trotter, has recently reshinglsd
his barn or put a fresh coat of paint ON his
front gate, and other announcements of
like character and import, which literally
G whole columns in some newspapers
Such trivialities, it seems to me, are much
worse than mere cumberers Of space that
might otherwise be proftably occupied
They beget prurient tastes and cravings for
publicity and notoriety, destructive of that
fresh bloom and unobtrusive modestv ~
becoming in the young, and exercise n nos
lively pernicious influence on forming char
acter, that often bears bitter fruit in after
years. There are some things that ought
to he held sacred from public intrusion. and
among them are the home and the domes
tic life it shelters. The vrtuous family il
the one never. failing source whence must
come the beneticent, purifying and recu-
pcrHting influences to repair the moral
wastes Of society, and the home-threshold
Of such a family should be an impossible
barrier between its inner sanctuary and all
idle curiosity and vulgar publicity.
If have misused the opportunity Won
have so kindly given me, Mr.. President, by
overstepping the proper limits of friendly
and courteous criticisms if my somewhat
antiquated ideas have beguiled me into
making mountains out of what you, in your
superior wisdom, know TO be innocent and
insignificant molehills, l am quite sure you
will generously impute these errors to old
fashioned training, prejudices and limita-
tons, and not at all to lack of high regard
for, and friendly interest in, your profess
sion. Why, sir, even now, after 20 years
Of emancipation from the professional har-
ness, whenever you with these other gallant
knights Of the quill put ON your war paint,
and the controversial heavens, SO to speak.
become resonant and lurid with the din and
smoke of battle, an almost irresistible i'm
pulse seizes me to grasp my old time weap-
ON, long since rusty with age, and rush in
to the fray-an impulse, it is needless to
add, which little prudent reflection, be-
gotten of experience, speedily subdues
The press Of Vermont is doing so much that
is wise and good, its earnest friends, among
whom | beg to be classed, greatly desire
that it may be purged Of all that is amiss
in its present condition and management
and SO become not only almost, but alto
gether, mighty power in support of what
ever tends to develop wise, prosperous
and yirtuous people.
Mr.. Harris's address was followed by a
lively and pleasing poem, entitled The
Editors Vision" by Mrs NJ j. Francisco
ed up and made brief speech expressive
Of his pleasure in being permitted to par
tiripate in SO enjoyable an occasion, and
was followed by Lieut.. Gov. Fuller.
Col. FuIIer's Remarks.
The schools, the pulpit and the press are
the three leading factors in the education of
the people, and Of these the press undoubt-
eddy takes highest rank in the formation Of
public opinion. Out of this position there
grow corresponding duties, among them
being the setting of high literary stan
durd. The use of pure and well chosen Ian
guage is certainly not without its beneficial
influence from an educational standpoint.
There also should be regard for truth and
principle on these the press should in the
main rely. Naturally the inquiry will be
made, Can paper live on the dry ethics of
principle and the slim support of the dream
crs The conducting of a newspaper is "a
business venture, in which there is opportu-
nifty for the display of the best skill and en-
tcrprise of the man Of affairs, and not un-
frequently for broad craftsmanship. Bust
ness sagacity must prevail in deciding bust
ness questions. In the work of great re-
forms, the upbuilding of communities, the
elevation Of the schools, the upholding and
publication of the public service, and in
giving the latest news in an honorable and
healthy manner, there is opportunity Of the
highest order and frequent demands of an
eXactmg nature of which several illustra-
tons were given
There is IA type of journalism that all men
turn from with loathing; but happily there
is Hs slight trace of it in Vermont as in any
section | know of.
OF the glory and achievements of the
press its friends may speak with pride. The
sending of Stanley TO Africa, the building
Of monuments in our own country, are en-
terprising and patriotic achievements Sc
far as my observation goes, the American
press surpasses the world and in regard Il
its country or rural press Vermont does moi
suffer in comparison with any. Indeed,
question if it is not in many respects supe
rior, with the general tendency elevating
and uplifting.
But above all the press needs character Il.
well as brains We do not hear as much OF
the editor as of the paper itself and hence
in this modern change, in which institu
tons more than men are influential the i'm
portance of character is very great. The
purity and efficiency OF our courts depends
ON the press by it our common schools ar,
elevated or dwarfed and upon it temper
ance, thrift, and home and state enterpris,
anu prosperity lhiBSly uepeHu, dStoi uiht
rs intelligence and character and wisdom
prevail in its management.
Congressman Grout, Mr.. AIilliken anC
Col. Hooker were then called upon in turn
by the president, and responded in serie
of as pleasant, sensible, bright and interest
ing short speeches as one often hears upoI
such nm occasion. Col. Hooker was in al
especial funny mood, and wound up tn,
talking amid shouts of irrepressible laugh
ter
The homeward journey was on Frida!
by way of New Bedford, Taunton an'
F'itchburg.